Christopher Penman and Claire Abby know very well that their break-up was the ultimate test of their love. Now back together, they’re looking only to the future. Christopher’s band is making a run at it after a long hiatus. Claire lands a magazine job she never dreamed of. Only a ring on Claire’s finger and a baby on the way could make their new life more complete, and Chris is determined they’ll have it all.

But when her college-bound daughter starts pushing the limits and they get news about Claire’s dad that shakes her to the core, Chris and Claire’s picture-perfect plans unravel. Only love can get them through the tests they never saw coming. Back together was one thing, but can they hold on to forever?

“I fell even more in love with Claire, Chris and Sam in Back Forever than I thought was possible.”-Book Crush

Product description

Product Description

Christopher Penman and Claire Abby know very well that their break-up was the ultimate test of their love. Now back together, they’re looking only to the future. Christopher’s band is making a run at it after a long hiatus. Claire lands a magazine job she never dreamed of. Only a ring on Claire’s finger and a baby on the way could make their new life more complete, and Chris is determined they’ll have it all.

But when her college-bound daughter starts pushing the limits and they get news about Claire’s dad that shakes her to the core, Chris and Claire’s picture-perfect plans unravel. Only love can get them through the tests they never saw coming. Back together was one thing, but can they hold on to forever?

“I fell even more in love with Claire, Chris and Sam in Back Forever than I thought was possible.”-Book Crush

About the Author

Karen Booth is a Midwestern girl transplanted in the South, raised on 80s music, Judy Blume, and the films of John Hughes. An early preoccupation with Rock 'n' Roll led her to spend her twenties working her way from intern to executive in the music industry. Much of her writing revolves around the world of backstage passes and band dynamics. When she's not creating fictional musicians, she's listening to everything from Duran Duran to Otis Redding to Superchunk with her kids, honing her Southern cooking skills (she makes some mean collards), or sweet-talking her astoundingly supportive husband into whipping up a batch of cocktails. You can learn more about Karen at karenbooth.net.

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Back Forever treated us to alternating chapters from Chris’ POV which I thoroughly enjoyed. By the end of the first book I wanted to hear his thoughts and Back Forever delivered them. While trying to build their new life together, Chris and Claire had a new set of obstacles to overcome, emotionally and figuratively and the strength of their relationship shined here, each supportive of the other, dealing with everyday decisions, while coping with new family dynamics, Chris going back on stage, the re-emergence of his ex-wife, and Claire finding her professional feet. Claire’s inner strength really comes to the fore here, dealing with the usual teenage issues, as well as caring for her aging father, and my heart broke for her as she came to terms with this. Throughout Claire’s pregnancy, Chris was the rock for their family. He was adorable, protecting Claire at every turn, taking on the role as step father like a natural, while re-discovering his creative spark. They support each other unconditionally, only wanting the other to be fulfilled and happy, and it was heartwarming to see. We also get to catch up with the other Banks Forest band members which was a hoot and I can’t wait to read more about Graham and Angie in Save a Prayer. Claire and Chris’ story had a bit of everything, angst and heartache, blended with sizzling passion and love, a cast of characters that complimented each other beautifully, and, in the end, a true love story. For me, the pacing was just right with and ending that tied up their story nicely, although I didn’t want it to end. It is a feel good story that I highly recommend.

Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
52 reviews

Artfullee

5.0 out of 5 starsStill in love

4 August 2016 - Published on Amazon.com

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Back Forever treated us to alternating chapters from Chris’ POV which I thoroughly enjoyed. By the end of the first book I wanted to hear his thoughts and Back Forever delivered them. While trying to build their new life together, Chris and Claire had a new set of obstacles to overcome, emotionally and figuratively and the strength of their relationship shined here, each supportive of the other, dealing with everyday decisions, while coping with new family dynamics, Chris going back on stage, the re-emergence of his ex-wife, and Claire finding her professional feet. Claire’s inner strength really comes to the fore here, dealing with the usual teenage issues, as well as caring for her aging father, and my heart broke for her as she came to terms with this. Throughout Claire’s pregnancy, Chris was the rock for their family. He was adorable, protecting Claire at every turn, taking on the role as step father like a natural, while re-discovering his creative spark. They support each other unconditionally, only wanting the other to be fulfilled and happy, and it was heartwarming to see. We also get to catch up with the other Banks Forest band members which was a hoot and I can’t wait to read more about Graham and Angie in Save a Prayer. Claire and Chris’ story had a bit of everything, angst and heartache, blended with sizzling passion and love, a cast of characters that complimented each other beautifully, and, in the end, a true love story. For me, the pacing was just right with and ending that tied up their story nicely, although I didn’t want it to end. It is a feel good story that I highly recommend.

If I were to imagine my perfect love story, it would be Chris & Claire (except in my world, he'd have been the bass player!) It's not often that I fall ass over teakettle for a fictional character, let alone two in the same book, but I absolutely ADORE these two! I can't even hate Claire for winding up with my hot dream guy because I like her so darn much! (any woman of a certain, ahem, age, pictures a member of a certain 80s band when they think of Chris, am I right?)

Romance novels are my guilty pleasure, but they can be so boring. It's refreshing to find an author that doesn't write the same old, tired formulaic story (they meet, they hate each other, they're thrown into some stupid situation where they have to spend time together, sexual tension ensues, they fight and then they fall into bed and have amazing sex, blah, blah, blah). I love Karen Booth's writing style - I prefer my romance novel characters to have a healthy dose of smart ass and she delivers that brilliantly. I love that these characters have flaws, but things still go their way sometimes. I love that they decide that this time, they're going to work through what life throws at them together, come hell or high water. I love that I can relate to Claire - she's not a twentysomething, and she's strong, independent, smart, talented and spirited, but she still wars with her insecurities. I love that she didn't make Chris out to be the typical, self-absorbed, rock star jerk face after all.

I was excited to find out there was a sequel to Bring Me Back coming and even broke my own old school rule about ebooks because I absolutely HAD to have it. i couldn't wait to find out where Chris & Claire's journey took them next. I literally could not stop reading this book until I was finished, breaking only long enough to grab another tissue because I was brought to tears over and over again. This is truly a love story, and it's not just about Chris & Claire's love affair. It's about REAL love - the kind that you have for the people in your life that mean the most to you. One of the things I loved most was how the love between a parent and a child is represented here at different stages and different ways, from Claire and her dad to Chris and Sam.

I only discovered Karen Booth this past year and I can't wait to get the rest of her books and find out what I've been missing!

Back Forever catches us up with Claire and Chris four months after the previous book, Bring Me Back. I was pleasantly surprised to see the book open from Chris’ point of view. In fact the book is told from both Claire and Chris’ POV.

The story of Claire and Chris continues as they bridge two lives into one while planning a wedding, their careers taking off, looking for a larger home, trying to have a baby while also preparing to send a teenager to college, and figuring out what is going on with Claire’s father. And yet there is so much more to know I can’t fit it all in one sentence!

I was hooked from the moment the book started and dreaded getting to the last page of the book because I didn’t want it to end. Maybe if I had stretched out reading it would have lasted, but it was hard to put down once I got going.

Karen Booth makes you laugh (a major catfight; Chris finding Claire’s diary when she was a teenager) and cry (the wedding; Chris and Richard at the studio; Claire and Richard in the nursery) all while reading this one. She did such a wonderful job and gave them their version of happy ever after. Perhaps the storyline is done, but it will never be fully gone as you will always have these gems to return to whenever you feel like it.

Love this series! The character development drew me in during the first book, so I bought this one immediately. I just had to know what happened with my new favorite couple! It’s a quick read with romance and funny sections.

I have to admit that cried reading this book.Hard.On an airplane.Sitting in the middle seat.So if you were seated next to me, I'm sorry if I freaked you out. I was not having a fit of aerophobia or pteromerhanophobia or whatever you wanna call it.

I don't know what it is about these characters, but they suck you in. I think it is all of the little details. Your teen daughter is distancing herself? You are a busy mom trying to juggle a million things? Your aging father is starting to worry you? Your sister is a nag and a pain in your bottom? Check. Check. Check. Check. I identify with that!

Thanks Karen Booth! It was an enjoyable journey. I hope to see more of these two...maybe on the road?